Grab rail construction



March 14, 1961 w. o. BAKER GRAB RAIL CONSTRUCTION Filed NOV. 10, 1958 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent O GRAB RAIL coNsTRUC'rIoN William 0. Baker, West Covina, Calif., assignor Vto Swimquip, Inc., El Monte, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 773,074

6 Claims. (Cl. 182-93) This invention relates to swimming pool equipment, and specifically to a grab rail construction by the aid of which swimmers may easily and gracefully exit from the swimming pool.

In the past, combination grab rail ladder structures have been provided. Steps secured between the pair of rails project beneath the surface of the water. The lower ends of therespective rails are anchored beneath the water level in the side of the swimming pool, andthe opposite ends are anchored at the decking alongside the pool. Despite the use of high-grade marine-type ttings, the metal parts constantly submerged beneath the water level deteriorate and become unsightly. Anyone familiar with maintenance knows the diicult problem involved in maintaining such equipment.

Recently popular is the provision of recesses or pockets in the side of the pool to form steps, and stepless grab rail structures located entirely above the surface of'the water and on the decking. Not only does this arrangement leave the width of the swimming pool unobstructed, but the grab` rail structure is easily maintained since it is out of the water.

In such arrangement a pair of generally U-shaped rails are provided, each having ends anchored in spaced relationship along the pool decking, one of the ends being relatively close to the edge of the pool proper. To provide a secure anchor for both ends of each rail, it is desirable that an anchor bracket for each end of the rail, and embedded in the concrete, be provided. Not only does this arrangement provide a secure support for the grab rail structure, but it also makes possible the installation of the grab rails proper after the concrete work is completed.

The provision of two anchor brackets for each grab rail structure in relatively close relationship introduces a serious problem regarding subsequent installation of the grab rail proper. The problem arises primarily for the reason that a concrete contractor cannot maintain close tolerances that will ensure simple insertion of the ends of each grab railv into their respective anchor brackets. The grab rails, being of relatively short length. are not sutliciently flexible to compensate for lack of close tolerances. The problem has been solved previously by bending a mass-produced grab rail structure at the time of installation. Not only may this take a considerable amount of time, but the finish of the grab rail may be seriously marred. And, of course, it would be economically unsound to attempt to manufacture special grab rails for each installation of anchor brackets.

The primary object of this invention is to overcome the foregoing disadvantages by providing a deck-mounted grab rail structure, utilizing anchor bracket means in which no tolerances need be observed on the part of the concrete contractor, and in which installation of the grab rail proper is easily accomplished by a single operation.

A companion object of this invention is to provide an improved grab rail structure of this character that is no more expensive, and in fact less so, than the grab rail Structures provided heretofore.

c Y 2,974,746 ce Patented Mar. 14, 1961 Still another object of this invention is to provide a new grab rail construction that is esthetically pleasing and that incorporates an anchor that is not only unobtrusive but attractively integrated with the design of the grab rail itself.

These objects are carried out by the provision of a single small anchor bracket within which both ends lof each grab rail are rmly secured.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a grab rail structure of this character which is exceptionally rigid and durable despite the fact that a single compact anchor is provided for both ends of the rail proper.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose, there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present speciiication. This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles ofthe invention; but it is to be undesrtood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this inveniton is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a portion of a swimming pool structure with which the improved grab rails are installed;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional View showing specically the anchor structure and adjacent portions of the grab rail;

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken along planes indicated by lines 3-3 and 4--14 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the anchor structure and taken in the direction corresponding to the arrow S in Fig. 2.

In the drawings there is illustrated a portion of a swimming pool formed by a wall 10. Integrally cast in the Wall of the pool are a plurality of vertically spaced recesses or pockets, such as 11 and 12, forming steps by the aid of which a yswimmer may eXit from the pool. To failtate this exit, a pair of grab rails 13 and 14 are provr e The grab rails 13 and 14 are generally of loop form, forward portions- 13a and 14a of the respective rails extending substantially to or even in slightly overhanging relationship with respect to the pool edge. The rails 13 and 14 are disposed symmetrically of the steps 11 and 12. The forward portions 13a and 14a extend generally vertically, whereby a convenient grip is provided.

The grab rails 13 and 14 are identical. TheyV are furthermore separately mounted in concrete decking 15 which parallels the edge of the pool proper. A description of one rail will accordingly suice as a description of both.

The grab rail 13, for example, is made by bending aluminum or similar tubing of uniform section. Itis formed by two bends. One is provided that extends slightly less than 180 and at the area of the forward portion 13a, thereby forming upper and lower rail portions 13b and 13e that diverge in a direction away from'the forward portion 13a. The second bend, as at 13d, is located at the remote end of the upper rail portion 13b and it extends through an angle of about The bend 13d forms a post portion 13e intended to extend substantially vertically to the decking 15. The upper rail portion 13b projects from the post 13e horizontally toward the pool edge. The post 13e projects transversely beyond the end of the lower rail portion 13C. The nonparallel or substantially normal relationship of the ends of the rail 13 is unique and makes it possible to secure the grab rail by simple means and by a single operation in a manner to be hereinafter described.

The rail 13 is adapted to be secured to the decking by the aid of an anchor 16 embedded in the decking.

This anchor, which is an integral structure rnade of cast aluminum alloy or the,like,`has a generallyA oval plate 17 (Figs. 2 and 3), the upper surfacel of whichis placed flush with the contiguous upper surface 18 of the decking 15. Extending downwardly adjacent one end of the plate is a cylindrical socket 19 formed Yby agwall 20 and into which the terminus of the post 13e beyond the rail portion 13e is closely received.

The plate 17 is oriented so that it -extends toward the pool edge and with the socket end of the plate disposed rearwardly of and away from the pool. The rail portions 13b and 13e overlie and likewiseextend toward the pool edge, the rail parts 13b and 13e passing above and beyond the forward portion 21` of the plate 17.

As torque is imposed upon the rail 13'by the weight of the swimmer, the socket 19, which extends along the length of the post terminus, is deep enough adequately to sustain the torque. The forward portion of the plate 17 provides a footing which stabilizes the anchor 16 in the decking.

The anchor 16 is strengthened or reinforced by the aid of ribs depending from the plate 17. Two ribs 22 and 23 (Fig. 4) depend from the lateral edges of the plate 17 and extend tangent to and on opposite sides of the socket wall 20. A third, central rib 24 (see Figs. 3 and 4) is also provided. The ribs essentially form braces between the socket wall 2Q Vand the plate 17. Furthermore, the ribs provide an increased area of contact between the anchor 16 and the decking 15', so that the anchor 16 is firmly held in position by the aid of the concrete or cement that surrounds these ribs.

The end of the portion 13e makes but a slight angle with the anchor plate 17. Since it is so disposed, simple transverse attaching means can effectively be used to clamp this rail portion 13e in place, and at the same time firmly hold the post 13e in its socket 19.

Since the post 13e seats in the socket 19 only by.

movement of the unitary rail vertically downwardly, and since the ends of the rail 13 are non-parallel, a socket or seat for the end of the rail portion must be provided which the rail portion 13C can enter by movement of the rail 13 parallel to the post 13e. An attaching bracket 25 is provided for this purpose.

This bracket 25, which may also be made as an integral casting of an aluminum alloy for example, is generally in the form of a half-shell (Fig. l). The edges 26 forming the peripheral boundary of the shell are placed downwardly entirely to' circumscribe the plate 17 of the anchor 16 and preferably to engage at least partially the decking 15 contiguous with the edges of the anchor top plate 17. The bracket 25 is entirely separable from the anchor 16, and it forms an escutcheon plate entirely concealing the anchor 16, the finish of the bracket not being subject to damage during the construction stage of the pool and decking. Since the bracket 25 provides the special seat for the rail portion 13e instead of the anchor proper, the seat is likewise not subject to damage or incrustation during construction of the pool. Equally important is that the anchor 16 itself is thereby simplified; and any splattering of concrete on the face of the plate 17 will be immaterial from the standpoint of appearance or function.

The post 13e passes through an opening 27 in one end of the bracket 25 which is intended to be laligned with the socket 19. The axial projection of the opening is circular so that it fits the post 13e.

Since the opening 27 Vis formed in the convex shell portion of the bracket 25, the edge forming the opening extends in a direction having a substantial` axial component along the post 13e. Those portions of the edge of the opening falling near the central area of the bracket 25 provide an effective brace for the post cooperating with the socket, and especially since these portions provide an increased area by virtue of the fact that they are oblique to the post 13e.

The forward portion of the bracket 25 is formed to provide an upwardly accessible seat 28 in the form generally of a cylindrical Wedge in which the end of the rail 13C is received by relative movement of the bracket 25 and rail 13 in a direction parallel to the post 13e. The axis 29 of the seat 28 slopesupwardly and corresponds to the inclination ofthe rail `13a` itself. The central portion of the bracket 25 has an inward and forwardly sloping transverse dividing wall 30 that extends normal or perpendicular to the axis 29.

The rearward surface of the wall 30 is entirely exposed beneath the bracket; and a circular portion of the other or forward surface of the wall is exposed exteriorly at the end of the seat 28 to which the wall is contiguous. The upper half of the exposed circular portion of the wall 30 lies above the side edges 31 and 32 (Fig. 3) of the seat 28. The exterior circular exposed area of the wall 30 is engaged by the end edge of the lower rail portion. The contour of the rail 13 is essentially continued by the bracket 25 at the area of the seat, the sides of the seat 28, as at 31 and 32 (Fig. 3), together encompassing the lower half of the rail portion 13e. Placement of the rail 13 and bracket 25 upon the embedded anchor 16 is accomplished in an obvious manner.

In order to secure the bracket 25 and rail 13 to the anchor 16, a bolt 33 is provided. The bolt passes transversely through diametrically aligned transverse apertures 34 and 35 in the rail portion 13e, the apertures being located at a position corresponding to the central area of the seat 28. The bolt passes through an aperture 36 in the bottom of the seat 28 and obliquely toward the plate 17 beneath the seat. The threaded end of the bolt 33 engages an oblique threaded aperture 37 extending downwardly from the plate 17 and which is appropriately aligned with the seat aperture 36. When the bolt 33 is tightened, the rail portion 13C is firmly clamped to the bracket 25, and the bracket is, in turn, firmly urged into engagement with the edges of the anchor plate 17 or the contiguous decking edges.

In order to provide sufficient bearing area for the bracket 25 at places adjacent the bolt 33 itself, the dividing wall 30 of the bracket 25 is. extended downwardly, as at 38 (Fig. 2). Its lower edge falls in a plane common to that defined by the peripheral edges 26 of the bracket 25 itself, ensuring appropriate engagement with the anchor plate 17 which is flush with the decking surface 18.

When the rail portion 13e is clamped in place, the end of the post 13e desirably bottoms against the lower wall of the socket 19 to ensure against any axial play thereof. To ensure this relationship, the bend at 13a of the rail 13 can be so formed that the rail portion 13C, before it is secured, slopes or is spaced slightly upwardly with respect to the seat 28 when the post 13e is bottomed. When the rail 13a` is drawn into position, a slight stress, transferred through the rail itself and accompanied by an imperceptible exure of the rail portions 13b and 13e, positively seats the post 13e.

The bolt 33 by itself adequately secures the entire rail 13, whichV is made possible by the unique configuration of the rail and anchoring parts 16 and 25.

In order that the aperture 37 threadedly receiving the bolt 33 be of substantial length and to allow for the size of the aperture 37 itself relative to the central rib 24 in which the aperture is formed, the rib 24 has an enlarge,

ment 39 (see Figs. 2 and 3).

The rail 13, bracket 25 and anchor 16 can readily be manufactured to tolerances compatible with each other. Since both ends of the rail 13 cooperate with a single anchor structure, no installation tolerances between spaced parts need be maintained when the embedded anchor parts are installed in the cement or concrete of the deckings.

Since the seat 28 is extended valong the direction o'f the axis 29, an ample bearing area is provided. The forces and torques are properly distributed. Since the rail portion 13e extends-in cantilever fashion with respect to the load and since the bolt 33 extends transverse to the rail, the bolt 33 is placed in tension under load. There are no shearing forces acting on the bolt. Hence, it operates eifectively and efficiently.

A cylindrical plug 40 is preferably inserted into the terminus 13jc of the rail portion 13C (Fig. 2) so that by tightening down on the bolt 33, there is no danger of distorting the rail proper.

In order further to stabilize the anchor 16 in the decking 15, the enlargement 39 of the anchor has a lug or finger 41 which projects substantially beneath the enlargement 39 and in a direction non-parallel to the wall 20 in which the socket 19 is formed. Because it projects forwardly (Fig. 2), the linger cooperates with the cylindrical wall 20 to prevent upward movement of the anchor 16 as a whole. Thus, the cylindrical wall 20 would confine the anchor 16 to vertical movement. But the nger 41 prevents this movement.

The nger 41, however, does not extend normal to the wall 20 but, instead, forwardly with respect thereto at an angle of about 45. The angle of entrance of the nger into unset concrete is thus not so severe as to cause voids in the concrete adjacent its forward surface. Special working of the concrete after insertion of the anchor 16 is thus avoided.

The inventor claims:

l. A grab rail structure -for a swimming pool or the like, comprising, in combination: a looped grab element having one end extending transversely of the other end thereof, said other end having a portion extending beyond said one end; and a mounting means for both said ends including an anchor portion adapted to be aixed to the decking of a pool adjacent the edge thereof, said mounting means having a socket formed therein axially receiving said extending portion of said other end, and said mounting means further including a seat portion in the upper surface thereof transversely receiving said one end with said other end axially mountedin said socket, and means for securing said one end to said mounting means.

2. A grab rail structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said anchor portion and said seat portion are separable elements, said seat portion being an escutcheon formed to overlie said' anchor portion, said seat portion having an opening therethrough for axially receiving said extending portion of said other end.

3. A grab rail structure as set forth in claim 2, wherein said securing means comprises a bolt adapted to pass transversely through said one end, through said seat portion and to be threadingly engaged with said anchor portion.

4. A grab rail structure as set forth in claim 2, wherein said seat portion is substantially dome-shaped adjacent said opening to brace said other end above said socket, and said one end terminates closely adjacent said extending portion of said other end.

5. A grab rail structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said securing means comprises a fastener acting transversely to said one end and engaging with said mounting means. j

6. A grab rail structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said anchor portion has a depending projection extending obliquely to said socket for preventing removal of said anchor portion when aflixed to the decking of a pool, the angularity of said projection relative to said socket forming means being limited for facilitating insertion of said anchor into unset concrete or the like.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 191,941 Delano June 12, 41877 453,148 Kiler et al May 26, 1891 1,193,862 Booraem Aug. 8, 1916 2,772,440 Applegate Dec. 4, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 80,341 Norway June 16, 1952 

